Parking to cost more

Some parking charges would rise by 200 per cent under new proposals by Stafford Borough Council to increase income from its car parks.

As part of the budget process for 2008-2009, the council has been reviewing charges.

Increases in parking fees would take effect from April 1.

The cabinet will hear on Thursday that short stay parking rates in Stafford would rise from 70p to £1 for an hour (up 42.9 per cent), £1 to £1.80 for two hours (80 per cent), £2 to £2.40 for three hours (20 per cent) and stay at £3 for four hours.

Long stay charges covering 10 hours would rise from £3 to £4 (33.3 per cent).

The 200 per cent increase is for other vehicles using the lorry park with the charge for two hours which would rise from 60p to £1.80.

A new £1 charge for one hour, £2.40 for three hours and £3 for over three hours would be introduced.

The charge for lorries to stay 24 hours in lorry parks is to rise from £2.80 to £5 – 78.6 per cent.

In Stone, where charges have not risen since 2002, long stay parking will also increase by 200 per cent from £1 to £3.

Short stay rises are: one hour 20p to 40p (100 per cent), two hours 40p to 80p (100 per cent), three hours 60p to £1.50 (150 per cent) and four hours 80p to £2 (150 per cent).

The hire rate for Stafford's Market Square for commercial events is to rise by 223.3 per cent from £92.80 to £300.

A 100 per cent increase is planned for the purchase of memorial tablets for the Tixall Road burial ground from £232 to £464.

The leader of the opposition Labour group Councillor Jack Kemp said that it was another example of the controlling Tory group applying taxes by stealth.

He said the controlling group was aiming to keep its council tax rise below 4 per cent and was doing this by increasing charges excessively.

"They have dug themselves a hole and are now just digging it deeper," he added.

He said car parking charges had already been increased in Stafford by the Tories and the new increases followed increases in leisure charges already introduced this year.

"Some of these increases are hitting the most vulnerable people," he added.

Councillor Kemp pledged that his party would challenge rises in charges when they were presented to the scrutiny committees over coming months.